If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

I want everyone's opinion on this because there are many views that people can bring. Everyone's opinions are welcomed. Look at this topic as something that can motivate you to become greater.

A small percentage of people reach goals that are hard to fathom. But what about the rest? Why do people settle with what they got and not try to push it to the limit? Why live a mediocre life? When you can do so much in this world, yet people stop once they get to middle-class level? And I'm not just talking about helping oneself. I'm talking about helping others as well. Why not make that extra buck to help out that kid dying from cancer? Or that family who lost their home in that hurricane? Or what about children in third world countries who don't have ****?

By this, I suppose you mean strive to be rich, and make the most of out what this world offers, correct?

Well, for a Jehovah's witness, this world is a facade of the one to come. This is Satan's time of rule, which is why the world is so bad. Not saying that there is nothing to enjoy in this life, or to have the the means to help yourself and others is a bad thing, but a true Christian will strive to do God's will above all. Jesus said at mat 6:24

“No one can slave for two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other. YOU cannot slave for God and for Riches.

This was the famous Sermon on the Mount discourse he gave. He continued to go on and implore his disciples to stop being ANXIOUS over material things, and trust God to provide the things needed for you and your family.

Mat 6:31 So never be anxious and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or, ‘What are we to drink?’ or, ‘What are we to put on?’ 32 For all these are the things the nations are eagerly pursuing. For YOUR heavenly Father knows YOU need all these things. 33 “Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these [other] things will be added to YOU.

So Jesus highlights the most important aspect of a true Christian life, which is to seek the Kingdom of God above all things. And you cannot seek riches, and God's kingdom. To be rich in Satan's world requires all your time. Once you get there, you wanna stay there. So therefore your life will revolve around money, which cannot add a cubit to your life span.

He also said Jehovah knows what we need, and will provide. Now does this mean that one that serves God does not have to work? Of course not. Bible says if a man does not provide for his family, he is worse than a man without faith! But there is a difference between providing for your family, and chasing riches. Jesus was the ultimate proof of such. Here, he was a perfect man, can you imagine what our intelligence level would be if we were perfect? Yet instead of being some world reknown super scientist, Jesus chose to be a carpenter. Why? So he can spend most of his time preaching the good news of God's Kingdom, which will save lives in a way money never can.

In the earlier part of mathew 6, Jesus said

19 “Stop storing up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break in and steal. 20Rather, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If, then, your eye is simple, your whole body will be bright;

All these are reasons to simply serve God, which would store up treasures where it matters. Remember, Jesus also said, what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world, but lose his soul?

So this is why a Jehovah's witness will live as simply as they can, because the preaching work is more important. Also, what we don't have in financial resources, we make up for in other ways. Jehovah's witnesses were one of the first on the scene after Katrina for instance. A lot of brothers and sisters left their home areas to go help rebuild for those who lost homes and such. Many other examples world wide like this. So because you live simple, does not mean you cannot help

No, I did not mean it that way. Let me explain. You see I want to make millions and I'm striving for that. But I don't want to make the millions for me. I want to be able to help as many people as I can with that money. At the moment I do not see others striving for that. Which means that by just making enough for themselves and their families, they are being selfish because they are not thinking about others (people outside their family). Now I know that people can help in small amounts, which is cool too, but why not strive for something greater? Or are they just caught up in their daily situations and not seeing what really matters in life?

No, I did not mean it that way. Let me explain. You see I want to make millions and I'm striving for that. But I don't want to make the millions for me. I want to be able to help as many people as I can with that money. At the moment I do not see others striving for that. Which means that by just making enough for themselves and their families, they are being selfish because they are not thinking about others (people outside their family). Now I know that people can help in small amounts, which is cool too, but why not strive for something greater? Or are they just caught up in their daily situations and not seeing what really matters in life?

Well for one, a person would have to believe that money is the help, be all, end all, so to speak.

There are many people with money, that help others with that money, still live miserable lives. Money just does not solve the deeper problems in the world. The world lacks basic love. That's the whole problem.

It also varies from person to person, what matters in life. What really does matter in life?

Well for one, a person would have to believe that money is the help, be all, end all, so to speak.

There are many people with money, that help others with that money, still live miserable lives. Money just does not solve the deeper problems in the world. The world lacks basic love. That's the whole problem.

It also varies from person to person, what matters in life. What really does matter in life?

Ah, much better. Even though the quotes were ok, I do prefer hearing your ideas without them.

The whole money thing is just an example. I did not want to generalize it and say that everyone should make a lot of dough so that they can help others. What I was referring to is that many people out there do not care for others. They live their daily lives without considering that someone out there might need their help. And what happens is that they spend most of their time doing insignificant things (playing videogames, partying too much, hating on others, etc.). The reason I bring this up is because I use to do those things. But now everything is different. At the same time I'm not saying go out there and become a priest, but people should start taking a look at more important things in life. By thinking about others we can all make this a better place. Still do what makes you happy but don't let it consume most of your time. Be about something. Change the world.

Knicks4lyfe, I don't mean to lecture too much but the reason for the questions I asked you was so that we can enlighten others. So thanks for your contribution. If you have any other thoughts, by all means...

A situation that I just experienced helped me better understand this saying:

"Everything happens for a reason"

Even if your situation looks bad, you have to realize that it happened for a certain reason. The best thing to do is to take the positives from that experience. Don't look at the negatives.

Yep. i used to be against this. But if you really think about it, it totally makes sense. I think negativity has been a problem with many people in this world, cuz especially with things goin on in our world (recession) everyones not exactly hopeful about this future.

Lets all have hope, because when there is hope, absoultely anything is possible.

Yep. i used to be against this. But if you really think about it, it totally makes sense. I think negativity has been a problem with many people in this world, cuz especially with things goin on in our world (recession) everyones not exactly hopeful about this future.

Lets all have hope, because when there is hope, absoultely anything is possible.

Yea. I think the NY state of mind is to be pessimistic. I used to be like that back when I was living in NY. So you don't progress because of the negativity. Everybody hating on each other.

Right now, I hear everybody telling me "oh, the recession is gonna be bad for all of us" or "nows not a good time to spend money". But if you think like that you won't get far. Even with all this negative talk I'm still planning to open up a business (2011) and get into music production. You gotta stay in a positive mindset, you know? You can't let **** dictate your life.